World Cup to Bring 5M+ Visitors to Mexico’s Caribbean

QUINTANA ROO, Mexico — The 2026 FIFA World Cup is projected to bring over 5.5 million visitors to Mexico, representing a historic opportunity to strengthen tourism promotion and economic benefits for the region. According to data shared by the Federal Government, the event is expected to drive a 44 percent growth in tourism for the country.

The Secretary of Tourism for Quintana Roo, Bernardo Cueto Riestra, provided these figures, indicating that the average tourist expenditure is projected to grow by 48 percent because of the tournament. He further stated that of the more than five million visitors expected for the World Cup, an estimated 40 percent of this total will arrive in the country via the Cancún International Airport.

Bernardo Cueto Riestra, head of the Sedetur, highlighted the key role of Quintana Roo in the 2026 World Cup. As a result of the World Cup being held in Mexico, 24 thousand new jobs are expected to be generated. Restaurant consumption could increase by as much as 49 percent, with the overall aim of generating greater economic spillover.

Cueto Riestra commented that work is being done with the hotels that will host World Cup teams—Moon Palace in Cancún and Fairmont Mayakoba in Riviera Maya—with the intention of attracting teams that are highly attractive from a media perspective.

“If we manage to be chosen by teams such as Argentina, Brazil, Spain, France, and the Mexican team, the eyes of the world will definitely be on the Mexican Caribbean. That, without a doubt, will generate an infinite amount of information, mentions, and promotion of Quintana Roo, that is to say, the Mexican Caribbean,” he affirmed.

He noted that it has always been said that Quintana Roo has a privileged geographical location, which is once again being proven in the lead-up to the World Cup. He indicated that Cancún is located in the central quadrant, which is the most attractive.

He explained that within this quadrant there are eight cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, and Kansas City. Therefore, the teams playing in those cities will have the Mexican Caribbean as their primary option for accommodation.